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Tesco, J Sainsbury and ASDA said they will delay passing on the increased value-added tax rate to consumers on thousands of products. The VAT is set to increase from 15% to 17.5% on Jan. 1. The VAT freeze does not include all products, however, so some prices will rise. Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer said it will start passing on the higher VAT rate on food starting Jan. 11.

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Tesco, J Sainsbury and ASDA said they will delay passing on the increased value-added tax rate to consumers on thousands of products. The VAT is set to increase from 15% to 17.5% on Jan. 1. The VAT freeze does not include all products, however, so some prices will rise. Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer said it will start passing on the higher VAT rate on food starting Jan. 11.

The Association of German Retailers is seeking an official ban on the use of "flash mobs" in labour disputes. The tactic involves a quickly assembled group, generally organised through social-media sites or mobile-phone messages, that usually performs an unusual action.

South Korea, particularly Seoul, ramped up efforts to become a fashion capital in 2009. Now, retailers, local designers and other participants in the fashion industry are aiming to become increasingly competitive on a global stage. The efforts come as the third-largest fashion chain in the world, H&M, prepares to enter South Korea, raising the competitive stakes.

Dmitry Medvedev, president of Russia, has signed a law that will curb retail chain expansion. Lawmakers say the law, which goes into effect Feb. 1, will result in reduced prices for consumers. The new regulations will prohibit retail chains with more than a quarter of their sales in a particular region from acquiring additional space for retailing in that area.

Major retailers in India are toying with the idea of destination shopping, in which stores are developed on the outskirts of a city. "The concept of destination shopping is really big in the US, Europe and Australia. The potential is emerging in India as well, since the concept of second homes where people spend their weekend is catching up in cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The destination format can make good business if they are set up near such locations," said Gitanjali Lifestyle President Sadanand Pawar.